Method and apparatus for detecting a leakage of a vacuum assembly

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method for detecting a leak in a vacuum assembly comprising the steps: implementation of a first detection process to identify a leak area, involving the supply of a vacuum assembly which has a plurality of sensors for detecting a parameter, the determination of values of the parameter over time during the evacuation of a cavity of the vacuum assembly, the creation of a value-time curve for each sensor of the vacuum assembly from the values detected for the respective sensors by means of an evaluation unit, the comparison of the value-time curves created with one another and identification of differences depending on the comparison by means of the evaluation unit, and the identification of a leak area in the vacuum assembly depending on the differences determined in the value-time curves and the respective position of the sensor in relation to the vacuum assembly; and implementation of a second detection process following the first detection process to detect the leak within the leak area identified, involving the supply of an additional detection device which is designed to identify a leak in a vacuum assembly, and the detection of a leak within the leak area by means of the detection device.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for detecting a leak in a vacuum assembly, comprising:
 identifying a leak area, comprising
 supplying a vacuum assembly which has a plurality of sensors for detecting a parameter, 
 detecting values of the parameter over time during evacuation of a cavity of the vacuum assembly, 
 creating, with an evaluation unit, a value-time curve for each sensor of the vacuum assembly from the values detected for the respective sensors, 
 comparing, with the evaluation unit, the value-time curves created with one another and identifying differences depending on the comparison, and 
 identifying the leak area in the vacuum assembly depending on the differences determined in the value-time curves and the respective position of the sensor in the vacuum assembly; and then 
 
 detecting the leak within the leak area, comprising
 supplying a detection device designed to identify the leak in the vacuum assembly, and 
 detecting the leak within the leak area using the detection device. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detection device has a detection area within which the detection device is configured, wherein the detection device is oriented such that the detection area lies at least partially within the leak area. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising moving the detection area within the leak area. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the detection device is configured to detect the leak by thermography. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the parameter is a physical parameter selected from the group consisting of sound, force, and flow rate. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the value-time curves created are standardized in terms of their characteristic curve and thereby compared to determine differences. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the value-time curves are compared in terms of amplitude and/or time, wherein depending on differences in terms of amplitude and/or time, the leak area is then determined. 
     
     
       8. A method for producing a fiber composite component from a fiber material and a matrix material, comprising: introducing the fiber material into a cavity of a vacuum assembly, infiltrating the fiber material with the matrix material, curing the matrix material evacuating the cavity of the vacuum assembly, and detecting a leak in the vacuum assembly according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       9. A device for producing a fiber composite component from a fiber material and a matrix material, wherein the fiber material is introduced into the cavity of the vacuum assembly, infiltrated with the matrix material and cured, wherein the device is designed to implement the method as claimed in  claim 1 .